$20.00

Does your project need a high degree of control from your users? The Thumbstick Phidget provides a familiar 2-axis thumbstick similar to those on a video game controller. The stick springs back to the neutral position when released. It can also be pressed down with a click, which will register in software and can be tied to a function in your software. The HIN1100 connects to a port on a VINT Hub. See the Comaptible Products tab for a list of hubs.

How it Works

The two axes of the thumbstick correspond to two VoltageRatioInput software objects which each range from -1.0 to 1.0, with zero being in the neutral position. These two numbers can be combined and converted into an angle and a magnitude in your software to be more useful. When the stick is pressed down, a DigitalInput object will change from false to true, so your program can use the change event to trigger a function or feature of your project.

VINT Hubs

This Phidget is a smart device that must be controlled by a VINT Hub. For more information about VINT, have a look at the VINT Primer. You can use a Phidget Cable to simply and easily connect the two devices. Here's a list of all of the different VINT Hubs currently available:

Phidget Cables

Use a Phidget cable to connect this device to the hub. You can solder multiple cables together in order to make even longer Phidget cables, but you should be aware of the effects of having long wires in your system.

First Look

After plugging the HIN1100 into your computer and opening the Phidget Control Panel, you will see something like this:

The Phidget Control Panel will list all connected Phidgets and associated objects, as well as the following information:

Serial number: allows you to differentiate between similar Phidgets.

Channel: allows you to differentiate between similar objects on a Phidget.

Version number: corresponds to the firmware version your Phidget is running. If your Phidget is listed in red, your firmware is out of date. Update the firmware by double-clicking the entry.

The Phidget Control Panel can also be used to test your device. Double-clicking on an object will open an example.

Digital Input

Double-click on a Digital Input object in order to run the example:

General information about the selected object will be displayed at the top of the window. You can also experiment with the following functionality:

You can click down on the middle of the thumbstick to activate the digital input.

Voltage Ratio Input (Axis)

When you double click on an Joystick Axis object, a window like the one pictured will open.

At the top of the window, information about your device and the properties of this particular channel will be listed.

On the left, change trigger and/or data interval can be changed. For more information on these settings, see the Data Rate/Change Trigger page.

On the right, the voltage ratio is reported in volts per volt. In this case, a value of 1.0 corresponds to the maximum tilt in one direction of the axis, and a value of -1.0 corresponds to the maximum tilt in the other direction. Note: The stick will not be able to fully reach the -1.0 or 1.0 position while inside the enclosure.

Joystick Axes

Each axis on the joystick is represented as its own VoltageRatioInput object. Axis 0 and Axis 1 are mapped to channels 0 and 1, respectively. You will have to open both channels to fully track the joystick's position.

Technical Details

Converting to Polar Coordinates

For some applications, you may want to convert the 2-axis data of the Thumbstick Phidget into an angle and magnitude. This can be helpful if you want to use it like a video game controller. You can use the following formulas:

r=x2+y2{\displaystyle {\text{r}}={\sqrt {x^{2}+y^{2}}}}

ϕ=atan2(x,y){\displaystyle \phi =atan2(x,y)}

Where r is the magnitude, ϕ is the angle, and x and y are the two axis values. Atan2 is the 2-argument arctangent function, which you can find in most math libraries. For example, in C# you could use Math.Atan2(x,y). Depending on your language, ϕ may be in radians or degrees.

Since x and y range from -1.0 to 1.0, the resulting r will range from −2{\displaystyle -{\sqrt {2}}} to 2{\displaystyle {\sqrt {2}}}, so you may also want to modify the first formula like so:

What to do Next

General Phidget Programming - Read this general guide to the various aspects of programming with Phidgets. Learn how to log data into a spreadsheet, use Phidgets over the network, and much more.

Phidget22 API - The API is a universal library of all functions and definitions for programming with Phidgets. Just select your language and device and it'll give you a complete list of all properties, methods, events, and enumerations that are at your disposal.

Product Specifications

Sensor Properties

Controlled By

VINT

VoltageRatio Input Resolution

0.0021

Electrical Properties

Current Consumption (Unconfigured)

20 μA

Current Consumption Max

* 1 mA

Physical Properties

Operating Temperature Min

-40 °C

Operating Temperature Max

85 °C

* - Current consumption varies depending on the selected data interval. See the technical section of the User Guide for details.

VINT Hubs

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Phidgets Inc.

We believe in getting problems solved quickly and projects finished on time. That's why we specialize in making affordable, easy to use sensors and controllers that require minimal electronics knowledge.

Phidgets Inc.

We believe in getting problems solved quickly and projects finished on time. That's why we specialize in making affordable, easy to use sensors and controllers that require minimal electronics knowledge.